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Post by whodatnation12 on Feb 6, 2024 3:52:34 GMT 1
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Royal Rumble show notes:
Logan Paul defeats John Cena in a surprisingly clean manner. John Cena who has been on a self-admitted major losing streak, attempted to get an "easy" win by going after a part-time celebrity wrestler in Paul. Killing two birds with one stone, as Cena set his sights on the championship that launched his career, the U.S. title. During the match John Cena was visibly overwhelmed by the speed, power, and athleticism of the much younger Logan Paul.
Don't mind the angles this show as I accidently clicked autobook for angles and forgot to go back, they have no bearing this show.
The first of the two Royal Rumbles was up, that being the Women's Rumble. I appreciate the winner of the actual Rumble being Bayley and she would have been my second choice. Here I have Trish Stratus making her return at the 27th spot in the Rumble. Notably, she receives cheers from the crowd and seems to be much more open to them, as opposed to before she went away. The final four in the ring are Trish Stratus, Bayley, Charlotte Flair, and Jade Cargill. In the final moments, Charlotte was able to take control of the match when she eliminated Bayley, causing the crowd to rain down boos. After a long stand off between her and Jade, Cargill's inexperience in the Rumble caused her to make one tiny mistake, which Flair of course took advantage of, eliminating Cargill. Before Charlotte could even lick her chops, from the massive elimination, Stratus was able to get her over the top rope eliminating the 14-time champion. Not only did Trish secure her spot at WrestleMania 40, she was able to secure that spot by notching an achievement, one would find unfathomable in the era of which she came from (a woman's Royal Rumble) solidifying her position as one of the greatest women wrestlers of all time.
Only mere weeks away from the Rumble, Seth addressed the Monday Night crowd and wished luck to all the Rumble participants, as he would be waiting at Mania and willing to fight any man who stepped up. Queuing the return of Goldberg, whom with one simple statement made his Royal Rumble intentions known to Seth "You're Next." Seth and Goldberg did not go for a long-time, but Seth was able to get one of the better matches out of Goldberg, we have seen in recent years, the two just worked well together. Seth ended it all with a curb-stomp reversal from a Goldberg Spear. Successfully defending his title once again.
On the Smackdown before the Rumble, Sheamus made his surprising return, approaching GM Nick Aldis. Prompting Aldis to ask, what made Sheamus decide to return tonight, when he was scheduled for a shocking return at the Rumble? Sheamus responded with a plea, he would forfeit his spot in the Rumble. He only cared about one thing and that was beating Gunther for the IC title. Sheamus begged Aldis to do what he could, to make the match happen. Although GM Aldis was apprehensive as he had no authority over Gunther, with him being a Raw superstar. There was something moving about Sheamus' passionate request, Aldis made no promises, but would make a few phone calls. Eventually leading to the match being added to the Royal Rumble PLE, (of course Aldis would owe Adam Pierce a favor for this act) after sending over a camera crew to Gunther's home, Sheamus and Gunther were able to have a fiery back and forth over video call, which was released on WWE socials, quickly going viral. The two finally met in the ring and was the exact drag-down slobber knocker you've come to expect from these two. However, in the end of course the Ring General was once again one step ahead, winning and continuing his historic title reign.
Goldberg was not the only returning face for the PLE, Ronda Rousey made her return and challenged the matriarch of the Judgement Day Rhea Ripley for her Women's World Heavyweight title. Rhea not one to back down from a fight, accepted. Rhea Ripley beat Rousey after a stiff strong-style type of match. After the match Ronda was able to get up and shake the hand of Ripley, abruptly exiting the ring. Unlike Goldberg, the WWE universe was left wondering if Rousey was here for a one-off appearance or back for good. The commentary team was left with those same questions.
Finally, we have reached our Main Event of the evening. The Men's Royal Rumble match. With a stacked roster boasting the likes of behemoths like Braun Strowman, Bobby Lashley, and Brock Lesnar. To up and coming superstars like Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, and NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov. Whomever was to win this Rumble would surely have to earn it. After an epic match, we got down to our final four. CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, Cody Rhodes, and Jey Uso. All of these men have aspirations of Main Eventing WrestleMania, all but one have done so already. These four men look to create and rewrite their destiny. After some back and forth, things take a turn when Brock exposes a turnbuckle. After a few exchanges around the exposed steel, it appears Lesnar's plan backfires, as all three men devise a plan to jump Brock and drive his face into the turnbuckle. Successfully leaving Lesnar a bloody mess. After the initial shock of seeing his crimson mask, Lesnar goes into a blind rage, ultimately leading to a double elimination of him and Jey Uso. Leaving CM Punk and Cody Rhodes to stare at each other from across the ring. The crowd erupts as both men start trading shots in the middle of the ring. The two men joust for position and seem evenly matched, that is of course until CM Punk manages to whip Cody into the corner going for his high-knee and bulldog combo. Which he manages to land clean. Punk then calls for the G.T.S, but Cody takes a long time to get up, Punk decides to stop waiting and muscles Cody up, who almost looks like dead weight at this point, CM Punk lands the G.T.S and dumps Cody out of the ring, leaving half the crowd jumping for joy, while the other is puzzled at the final sequence. CM Punk is left celebrating in the ring as he has just punched his ticket to the one thing that has alluded him in this business. The Main Event of WrestleMania. Commentary notes to the people at home and it is then showed to the live crowd what had transpired. When CM Punk whipped Cody into the corner and performed the high-knee portion of the combo, Cody inadvertently hit the back of his head on the exposed steel, previously left there by Lesnar, knocking him out cold. Leading to the result we see before us, an ecstatic CM Punk to close the show with the fireworks going off all around him. With the final picture of course Punk's first opportunity to truly point at the WrestleMania sign.
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Post by whodatnation12 on Feb 10, 2024 7:19:30 GMT 1
Road to Elimination Chamber notes:
World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber
After winning the 2024 Men's Royal Rumble CM Punk had a decision to make. A decision that he did not take lightly, as this decision is the final decision Punk needed to make to make his Wrestlemania dreams and aspirations come to fruition. When it finally came to make that decision other superstars on the roster had a lot more input on the matter that anyone would expect. This led to Punk's decision being delayed over multiple weeks on both shows. Finally, after the announcement of the Men's Elimination Chamber match being for the World Heavyweight Title, CM Punk snatched a microphone and shouted his decision for the world to hear. At Wrestlemania CM Punk does not care what man steps out of the Chamber as the champion. He is coming for what he has wanted for decades and that is the World Heavyweight Championship at the Main Event of WrestleMania. Now of course the road to Wrestlemania is a bumpy one and that could not be any truer for the World Champion himself Seth Rollins. After months of defending his title as the workhorse champion he is, he now faces a possibility of missing Wrestlemania all together, if he does not walk out as champion. This is not lost on Rollins, and he has declared to the WWE universe, that he will retain at the Elimination Chamber. I am sure his five challengers have other ideas in mind. After a series of Elimination Chamber qualifiers over the weeks leading up to the PLE, these next 5 men have secured their spots. First, Drew McIntyre the Scottish Psycopath has adopted a new attitude as of recent, one where he frankly could not care less what others think about it. He has personally targeted not only the World Champion Seth Rollins, but his would be Challenger in CM Punk. Asserting himself as THE guy that will do anything to accomplish his goals. Second, Main Event Jey Uso the former tag team specialist has had a breakout year stepping away from the bloodline and his partnership with brother Jimmy Uso. Jey Uso looks to continue and cement his year with the ultimate singles achievement and that is becoming a world champion. Third, representing his family the Judgement Day Finn Balor. The history between Rollins and Balor has been well documented, but Balor says the difference between then and now is his family and promises to spoil Seth's dreams of Wrestlemania as he did his. Fourth, Shinsuke Nakamura, although Nakamura has challenged Seth Rollins for the title before he believes at the Chamber it will be different. He plans on getting back to his Japanese roots, training on his off time under the watchful eye of WWE Hall of Famer the Great Muta. He says that he has unlocked a side of him that he has not experienced since his time in the Tokyo Dome. If that Shinsuke Nakamura shows up it can be a long night for everyone in the chamber. Fifth and final challenger Sami Zayn, after a long and grueling match against his long time friend Kevin Owens for the final spot in the Chamber, it was ultimately Sami who had his hand raised, due to an unintentional mistake by the referee, who missed Kevin Owens foot on the rope. Both men put this issue aside and Owens wished nothing but the best for Sami. Sami Zayn looks to finish his story if you will by winning the title at the same event a few just short of that achievement last year.
One Last Run
After winning the 2024 Women's Royal Rumble Trish Stratus had a different experience to CM Punk. She made her intentions very clear, when she came out on Monday Night Raw the next night and declared that she will be challenging Rhea Ripley. But that is not all, she will once again "call her shot" as Wrestlemania 40 will be her official retirement and she looks to go out on top like she did in 2006 at the Unforgiven PPV. Instead of an expected confrontation with Rhea, she received an unexpected one with Shayna Baszler stepping to her. Shayna made it clear that she does not give a damn about Trish's status as a legend nor does she care about her retirement. She instead offered Trish the opportunity to retire earlier than Mania since she could just break her body at will. Baszler is making it clear she is tired of waiting for opportunities, she was one of the most dominant champions NXT has seen in it's history. Flash forward Trish has not only had to contend with a pitbull in Shayna, but the Mami of the Judgement Day is no slouch. After weeks of fighting with both Trish made an official challenge for Elimination Chamber Rhea Ripley and Shayna Baszler vs Trish Stratus and a partner of her choosing.
Faction Assault
LWO have been a steady part of Smackdown throughout the whole year, but with the formation of the Final Testament the two groups found themselves to be natural enemies. Their ideologies simply do not align. This according to the leader of The Final Testament Karrion Kross. Weeks went by as the two groups constantly attacked each other any chance they got. Finally, GM of Smackdown Nick Aldis, called for a meeting of just the leaders, after some time Carlito was chosen as a representative (as there are no leaders in LWO) to face off against Kross. GM Aldis then asked what match could he make official to get some control over his show as the two groups are causing massive property damages. Both men thought and decided a Steel Cage match 1 on 1 would satisfy all parties and help unsure no interruptions by outside forces.
Women's Undisputed No#1 Contender Elimination Chamber
Unlike the Men's Elimination Chamber match, the Women's will be to determine the Number one contender for IO Sky's Undisputed Women's championship, at Wrestlemania. The competitors are IO Sky's own damage control member Bayley, who has joined the match at the behest of the champion. Stating she would be happy if Bayley wins as that would mean no matter what the title is under Damage Control. The next challenger is Charlotte Flair, who is no stranger to big time matches, and has had experience going against the champion in the past. Charlotte has made her intentions clear, she is looking to push for number 15. Third up is Becky Lynch. She has had the most intimate meetings with Damage Control and the champ over the last few months as she has been gunning for the title. Becky has made it very clear she is desperate and growing even more desperate to secure a spot on the card at Wrestlemania. This could be her last chance on the road. Fourth is the returning Liv Morgan who was put on the shelf by Rhea Ripley, who Morgan has not forgotten. Unfortunately, her crusade for vengeance has to be put on pause, due to the two women not sharing the same show. Liv has made her intentions clear when it comes to Ripley, but for now she isn't going to waste anytime climbing her way back to the top of the mountain, as she now knows all too well how quickly it can all be taken away from you. Next up is the powerhouse Raquel Rodriguez, who has been on a dominant streak lately. Stating that she is tired of just being the "Big Friendly Giant" smiling all the time cheering on others accomplishment it's time to put the main roster on notice of Double R. The final spot representing the LWO goes to Zelina Vega. Zelina is not naive to the fact she is walking into the chamber as a massive betting underdog. That fact isn't going to stop her from going out there and putting on the show of her life. Vega truly believes she can walk into the chamber and win. She exclaims people can call her crazy for that belief, but she warns the women that will step into that chamber with her "people may call me crazy for thinking I can win, but where I am standing you are the crazy ones for stepping into a cage with someone who has nothing to lose."
Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship
Not much to be said for this match. Sheamus the man who forfeited a spot in the 2024 Royal Rumble match to have a shot at making history and becoming a Grand Slam champion vs The Ring General Gunther, the most dominant IC Champion of all time with one of the most historic reigns we have seen in the modern era of professional wrestling. For Gunther this is another match along the way of his title reign. For Sheamus, this is his final opportunity at the Intercontinental title, a deal he had to make in order to receive a rematch after the loss at the Royal Rumble PLE. Sheamus could care less whether he is a grand slam champion or not for him it is now about his pride and honor. Gunther has proven to be the better man time and time again. Sheamus does not need to win the IC championship. Sheamus desperately needs to beat Gunther. For as long as Gunther is Intercontinental champion this will be Sheamus last opportunity to do so.
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Post by whodatnation12 on May 1, 2024 4:49:45 GMT 1
 Elimination Chamber show notes:
Opening the show is the Men's EC match. Seth Rollins and Jey Uso draw the unlucky spots of starting off the match. The crowd cheer on both of some of their favorite superstars, who put on a quick pace, explosive start. As the timer begins to countdown for the first pod to open both men halt the action and shift focus to the highlighted pod of Finn Balor. Balor no stranger to either of these men attempts to hold the pod door shut. Both Rollins and Uso desperately try to get Balor out which they successfully manage to do and unleash a barrage of tag team moves on the lone Judgement Day member. All fun ceased when the second pod was unlocked. Unleashing the Scottish Psycopath who quickly laid waste to all three men. After a few minutes of action McIntyre finds himself in a back and forth exchange with Seth, leading to one of the highlights of the match when Finn Balor decided to climb the Chamber onto a pod and dove until all three men. As all four current participants were down the penultimate pod opens for Shinsuke Nakamura who struts out to a chorus of boos. Shinsuke takes in the boos and begins to rain down strikes on all 4 prone men. Jumping forward the match continues on with commentary noting right before the last entrant Sami Zayn is released that there have been no eliminations up to this point. As soon as the pod door is open Zayn shoots out like a bat out of hell, igniting the crowd in the process. At this point the participants have all been in the ring and Michael Cole notes that in Elimination Chamber this is the longest time that all participants have been in the match, with no eliminations in history. When Cole notes this fact, almost like clockwork they begin. The World Champion Seth Rollins has McIntyre set up for the curb stomp, sensing danger Drew smartly rolls out of the ring, drawing Rollins to him. With his back turn Finn Balor sets up in the corner for his signature sling blade, drop kick combo. Whilst waiting in the corner, Finn who is now prepared, is hit out of nowhere with helluva kicked by Sami Zayn, 1.2.3 (Balor is eliminated) When Sami stands up after the cover, he is met with a Claymore by Drew leading to the 1.2.3 (Zayn is eliminated). There is no time for McIntyre to celebrate as Main Event Jey provides him with a superkick. Jey goes to the top for the Uso splash, that he misses, when Drew moves out of the way. Uso sees this and rolls through the splash right into a Kinshasa by Shinsuke for the 1.2.3. (Uso is eliminated) Nakamura does not have the chance to get up from the cover over Jey when he is curb stomped by Seth, 1.2.3. (Shinsuke is eliminated) At this point the crowd is going nuts for the lighting pace of the eliminations, when all of a sudden Seth turns around right into the claymore by McIntyre for the 1.2...no! Rollins shocks the crowd who clearly thought Drew was going to win the title there. McIntyre at this point frustrated Rollins took his best shot looks around and takes a piece of the steel floor off of the Chamber with all intentions of ending Seth's career. When Drew tries to enter the ring with steel in front of him he is met with Rollins curb stomping his face right into the steel flooring, for the 1.2.3. Seth Rollins retains.
The following match is the Women's Tag Team, Shayna and Rhea make their way first to the ring, outcomes Trish Stratus who pauses and points to the titantron signaling for her mystery partner when the words "Hardcore Country" appear on screen outcomes the legend Mickie James to team up with her former rival. These four women put on an exceptional match, showing great chemistry between both teams. Eventually, the two legends manage to incapacitate the champion Rhea Ripley. Allowing for a combo Mick Kick into a Stratusfaction on Shayna Baszler for the 1.2.3. this match was designed to cool the crowd down after the hot start and focus on the character work of the four ladies.
The next matchup between Carlito and Karrion Kross functioned more like an angle. The steel cage was lowered and dawned a new black chain link as it was just the middle part of the Chamber without the sides making for a cool visual. The match did not take long to breakdown as Kross was assisted from the outside by the AOP who handcuffed Carlito to the cage when he was in the corner setting up for the backstabber. After Akam and Rezar ripped the doors off their hinges this allowed Kross to walk out for the win and AOP to walk in for the ensuing beatdown of Carlito. This of course drew out the LWO who came out noticeably late. An all-out brawl between the factions broke out, leaving poor Carlito still hand cuffed. Outcomes the international pop superstar Bad Bunny to make the save. The two factions fight through the crowd and towards the back, allowing Bad Bunny and Rey Mysterio to climb back in the ring with the handcuff key, finally freeing a now beatdown and bloodied Carlito. As the men begin to walk to the back they are attack on the ramp by a person with a kendo stick who is none other than Rey's own son Dominik Mysterio. Dominik leaves all three men laying after the beatdown with a sadistic smile on his face as WWE officials usher him to the back.
We move on to the Intercontinental Championship match. For the challenger Sheamus this is all or nothing, if he loses to Gunther he is no longer allowed to challenge for the title so long as Gunther holds it. For the champion Gunther he marches forward to continue his historic title reign. These two men are no strangers to each other. This is very evident based on the match they are having. Every move that is made by one is counter by the other. Leading to many stalemates. Both men are becoming increasingly frustrated, when they do connect with strikes they are leaving marks and welts on each other. Towards the end of the match after a grueling exchange Sheamus is able to complete a surprise brogue kick putting down Gunther momentarily. Sheamus takes the opportunity to prepare another Brogue kick as he knows by now only one will not finish the champion. Sheamus calls and executes the second Brogue kick. Stunned that Gunther is down Sheamus does not go for the cover instead he climbs to the top turnbuckle something he is not known for an attempts an elbow drop to potentially finish the reign. Gunther moves in the nick of time, and in a deviation of character Gunther rolls Sheamus up and with a hand full of tights gets the 1.2.3. The announcers, the crowd, and of course Sheamus are all left stunned. We have never seen the man who has the utmost respect for the mat Gunther stoop down to the level, where he needed to pull antics to win. It's no consolation to Sheamus, but he was the man that put an ounce of doubt and dare we say fear in the heart of Gunther, to make him abandon his code.
Finally, we have reached our Main Event of the evening. The Women's Elimination Chamber match. Bayley vs Charlotte Flair vs Becky Lynch vs Liv Morgan vs Raquel Rodriguez vs Zelina Vega these six women are battling it out for a spot at Wrestlemania. To start the match off it is the underdog Zelina Vega fittingly with the 14-time champion Charlotte Flair, Flair is putting on a masterclass of outwrestling in an opponent. But the fight and fire are not leaving Zelina, every time she is getting knocked down, she is getting right back up. Vega is able to rally the crowd behind her as she executes a running crossbody taking down her and Charlotte. Allowing for Liv Morgan to join the fray and get some momentum. The trio fight amongst each other before Bayley is released from her pod, remember, Cole reminds the viewers that she was asked to be her by the champion IYO SKY. Our first elimination is made when Zelina Vega whom at this point has been giving it her all to hang in there with some of the best in the world decides that, in order to even the odds she has to take more risks. Including attempting a diving Moonsault from the pod which she managed to connect with all, but Charlotte Flair who hastily grabs Zelina and hits her with a natural selection for the 1.2.3. (Zelina is eliminated) Right as the referee removes Vega from the structure Becky Lynch is released from her pod. Becky comes out fiery as ever, punches, kicks and more allows Becky to clear out the ring and is left standing to enjoy a moment with the crowd. That is until her long time rival Charlotte Flair attempts to catch her off guard with a slam into a figure 4 turned into the figure 8 leg lock. Becky is in the middle of the ring writhing in pain when Raquel Rodriguez is finally out of the pod. Raquel does the smart move and stands in the corner laughing at Becky. Becky with nowhere to go, on the verge of passing out from the hold, has one last act of defiance. She flips off Raquel which immediately enrages the monster who charges over and lifts Becky up, forcing Charlotte to let go of the figure 8, and into the Tejana Bomb. When she drops down for the pin she is pulled up by her hair to her knees to frustrated Flair who yells at Rodriguez for taking her elimination from her. The two are interrupted by Bayley and Morgan who enter back into the fray. Our next elimination comes when Rodriguez and Morgan are going back and forth, with one slip up Liv finds herself in the compromising position for a Tejana bomb, which connects. Rodriguez drops down to pin Morgan when she is caught with a natural selection by Charlotte. Leaving her in a prone position for an elbow drop by Bayley. Charlotte hooks Liv Morgan's leg and Bayley hooks Raquel's the referee counts for 1.2.3. (Raquel and Liv are eliminated) Eliminating the former tag team champions. Leaving the final three as the remaining horsewomen of WWE Becky, Charlotte, and Bayley. We flash forward to the closing of the match after a flat out slobberknocker between the three Charlotte manages to get the upperhand on both her opponents, but this is where she makes the mistake to taunt the two women "you don't deserve to be in the ring with me, they called you the horsewomen, I called you the b@#$!*s that hold my bags" immediately upon hearing the comment both Becky and Bayley hulk up and beatdown Charlotte. They then took turns one upping each other by performing the Bayley to Belly and the Manhandle slam. Each giving their respective maneuvers twice to much the delight of the crowd. Lynch allowed Bayley to take the pinfall 1.2.3. As Charlotte was being removed both Becky and Bayley squared up with each other with smirks as if the teaming had just helped find a lost respect they once had for each other. The two shake hands and prepared for battle when out of nowhere Becky is hit from behind with a steel chair. It is Damage Control who found a way into the chamber. However, Bayley does not seemed please to see her friends Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane, and Asuka. She stands back as the group pummel Becky. When they are done Iyo implores Bayley to pin Becky. There is noticeable hesitation with Bayley, but with some encouragement by the group Bayley finally relinquishes and attempt the cover 1.2. bam! The moment she went for the cover Iyo instructed Asuka to hit Bayley with the chair. Damage Control begins to demolish their former leader. They then wrap a chair around Bayleys head and neck and instruct Kairi Sane to land an insane elbow onto the chair. The crowd are raining down boos onto the group, when they get a little hope as Becky fights back, but is quickly outnumbered. The group tosses Becky outside of the Chamber and beat her down some more inching her closer to the announcers tables. Asuka and Kai hold Lynch in place as Iyo climbs halfway up the Chamber and performs a senton onto Becky. The announcers are in complete shock. The bell is instructed to be called for the match declared a no-decision due to Lynch and Bayley being unable to continue. Michael Cole is appalled by Damage Control's behavior and wonders out loud what will happened on Monday Night Raw and the fallout of this beatdown. That is how Elimination Chamber is closed.
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